When Zaudi Green and Tiffany Langley boarded their flight bound for New Zealand on Friday, their hearts were filled with more than the anticipation of travel—they were carrying high expectations of a Sunshine Girls team, aiming to give a good account at the Fast5 Netball World Series and make Jamaica proud.

Green and Langley are part of a young and relatively untested squad stepping onto one of netball’s most electrifying stages, but despite the inexperience, the pair exude a calm assurance that they’re ready for the task ahead. The opportunity for these players to make their mark opened up as the more experienced players from the Netball World Cup bronze medal-winning team prepare to lock horns with England in the four-match Vitality Horizon series.

“The mood in the camp is very vibrant and filled with love and togetherness as our bond grows stronger each day as we head into the tournament. Our goal is to give a performance that will make Jamaicans proud,” Green, a defensive standout, told SportsMax.Tv.

“We know that people might think our lack of experience puts us at a disadvantage, but we’ve trained hard and have all the faith in our abilities,” she added.

This year's Fast5 series, like previous editions, promises to be fiercely competitive, bringing together six of the world’s top netballing nations—New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda—in Christchurch for two days of action on November 9-10.

Competing against established and formidable powerhouses, the Sunshine Girls task of getting on the podium will by no means be easy. Still, Green and Langley’s confidence is unshaken, driven by an eagerness to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish.

“We’re coming with everything we’ve got,” declared Langley, a quick-footed centre, who brings speed and vision to the squad’s offensive game.

“We’ve been pushing ourselves in every training session, knowing that each moment counts when you’re up against teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand. We know our capabilities, and now it’s just about executing when we’re out on that court,” she shared.

Although Fast5 netball has a faster pace and modified scoring rules that often require strategic adjustments, both players believe the Sunshine Girls are ready to embrace the challenge.

The Jamaican style—a blend of speed, agility, and flair—suits the tournament format, and Green and Langley believe they can make it work to their advantage.

In fact, Head coach Dalton Hinds and his assistant Nardia Hanson, have emphasized teamwork, resilience, and adaptability as essential skills for the youthful team to succeed.

“The coaches have really instilled confidence in us, so even with the challenges we face as a younger squad, we’re well-prepared to handle anything that comes our way. The last few days of training have been intense and productive as we worked on fine-tuning some key areas to ensure that we are ready for the task at hand,” Green stated.

For Green, 25, the chance to represent her country on this international stage is a personal triumph and an opportunity to inspire young netballers back home.

“I am hoping to perform well to make my mark as a new member of the squad. From a team perspective, it’s about making a statement and rising above expectations because we want the younger players to see that they, too, can reach the international stage if they work hard and believe in themselves,” the bubbly player noted.

Meanwhile, Langley, 24, welcomed the dynamics of the Fast5 format, which will provide both a mental and physical test.

“It’s a unique challenge, but we’re ready to adapt. We’ve done a lot of work to ensure we give a good account of ourselves, and we want to go home with heads held high, knowing we gave our best and represented our country with pride,” she ended.

Squad: Shadine Bartley, Paula-Ann Burton, Simone Gordon, Zaudi Green, Tiffany Langley, Roxanna McLean, Amanda Pinkney, Kimone Shaw, Kestina Sturridge, Corneilia Walters

Ravindra Jadeja took a five-for but New Zealand hit back with some late wickets of their own against India on Friday.

India looked in complete control at 78-1 in the penultimate over of the first day of the third Test in Mumbai, having bowled New Zealand out for 235.

Jadeja, who bowled 22 unchanged overs, was in sensational form with the ball, taking 5-65.

Able support arrived from the excellent Washington Sundar, who finished with figures of 4-81. His haul included the wicket of Daryl Mitchell (82), who was the only New Zealand batter to really make a dent.

Rohit Sharma's dismissal for 18 in the seventh over did not derail a positive start to India's chase, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) and Shubman Gill (31 not out) looking steady at the crease.

However, Jaiswal was bowled by Ajaz Patel (2-33) in the 18th over, with Mohammed Siraj pinned lbw from the very next ball.

Patel was unable to complete his hat-trick, but Virat Kohli was run out for four in the next over as New Zealand rallied, and the tourists now have plenty of momentum heading into day two.

Data Debrief: Three of a kind

India have won their last three Tests at Wankhede Stadium, including a 372-run win over New Zealand in their last match at the venue (3 December 2021), after not registering a win in three matches prior to that span (D1 L2).

And they looked well placed to push on and continue that run as they looked to avoid slipping to a third defeat of the series.

They last lost three successive Tests on home soil back in the 1970s, when they faced England, but their late capitulation has left them vulnerable to matching that.

England have aspirations of greatness, asserted Ben Earl as he prepares to face New Zealand in a friendly at Twickenham.

The 26-year-old was optimistic about the progress England had made under Steve Borthwick despite registering two losses at the hands of the All Blacks in July.

England will be seeking revenge after losing the second match of the test in a devastatingly close 16-15 defeat. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso had scored a try to put England ahead after scores had been tied 10-10 at half-time, but two penalty kicks from Damian McKenzie ended their hopes.

Earl, however, believes the heartbreak has given his country an opportunity to develop.

“I think it’s an experience all the big teams go through, you have to go through some heartache to get over the line,” he told TNT Sports.

“It just feels like it’s the evolution of all the top teams, and we are a team that wants to be known as a great team, some of the world’s best. 

“So we know the heartache is good for a while, but it’s time to go and do it at the right time. We got a glimpse of it against Ireland last year, and we feel we are due one, and we have learnt some really hard lessons over the summer, so we feel we are in a better place for it.

“We have always said you don’t win easily against us and that’s something we have developed over the last 18 months with Steve’s mindset and the boys getting hold of it, and now I feel it’s time to get over the line in one of these big games.”

New Zealand have won their last three matches, having defeated Japan and secured a double over Australia. They struggled against reigning world champions South Africa, however, as they failed to exact revenge on the Springboks in late summer tests falling to defeat twice.

Undoubtedly, the All Blacks still represent some of the best talent in the world, with Earl expected to line up opposite New Zealand’s superstar Wallace Sititi.

“There’s stardust littered all over the pitch isn’t there? There’s some pretty cool match-ups; it just feels like a game that isn’t going to disappoint,” he said.

England won’t be overawed, though. Instead, they aim to make their west London home a fortress for visiting sides to travel to.

“[Twickenham is] a place where we want to be really, really hard to beat. And we’ve always said in the camp, if you want to beat us at Twickenham you are going to have to be over and above the norm,” Earl said. 

Steve Borthwick has challenged England to "finish the job" by converting positive performances into victories against the world's top teams.

The 2003 world champions begin their Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

England are aiming to bounce back from narrow defeats against the All Blacks, who prevailed 16-15 and 24-17 in their two previous encounters in July.

Borthwick's side were also narrowly beaten 33-31 by France in their final match of this year's Six Nations, while a last-gasp 16-15 loss at the hands of South Africa denied them a place in the 2023 World Cup final.

And the head coach wants his players to demonstrate their ruthless streak to get them over the line against the bigger nations.

"We've got a young squad," he told TNT Sports. "There's a real feeling of enthusiasm for where they can take this team.

"I think you've seen that evolution with the team, but also seeing there's plenty we've still got to do. It's a brilliant series ahead.

"There was a period where the England team weren't necessarily challenging those teams at the top of the world rankings. Now, we've been able to do that in recent times.

"We haven't won as many games as we wanted to. In a lot of those games, it came to that final quarter where we've been in a position to win it, and we haven't been able to convert it to the result we wanted.

"Now, we're going to make sure we finish the job, and that's been part of the discussion with the players last week."

Steve Borthwick expects the "energy and passion of our supporters" to give England an "extra lift" when they face New Zealand on Saturday.

England welcome the All Blacks to the Allianz Stadium this weekend for their first match of this year's Autumn Nations Series.

Borthwick's side will be playing on home soil for only the third time in their last 16 internationals, and the head coach is pleased to be back in familiar surroundings.

"We're excited for the challenge of playing against one of the best teams in world rugby," he said.

"We'll need to be accurate, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity throughout the match, from the first whistle to the final moment.

"With just two games at Allianz Stadium in our last 15, it's fantastic to be returning to play in front of our home crowd again. The energy and passion of our supporters always give the team an extra lift."

Henry Slade will start at centre, despite playing just 54 minutes of club rugby this season after recovering from shoulder surgery, with Ben Spencer replacing the injured Alex Mitchell at scrum-half.

Ellis Genge is back after missing the summer tour of New Zealand with a calf injury, while there are also starts for Maro Itoje and Tom Curry, with George Ford named on the bench.

England have named Warwickshire all-rounder Jacob Bethell in their squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand. 

Bethell, who made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia last month, replaces Jamie Smith who misses out due to paternity leave.

However, the 21-year-old has played just 20 County Championship games in his career, and has yet to make a first-class century.

He averaged 25.44 across those matches, with his highest total of 93 coming against Nottinghamshire early in the 2024 season.

Bethell made some impressive middle-order cameos with the bat against Australia in September, and also starred for the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. 

Bethell also bowls left arm-spin - he struck four times across the five ODIs versus Australia - and will support the frontline trio of Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed. 

His inclusion is the only change to the squad that suffered a 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan, with Jordan Cox poised for his Test bow as he deputises behind the stumps for Smith.

Vice-captain Ollie Pope keeps his place in the squad despite a difficult tour of Pakistan in which he averaged just 11, with a highest score of 29, across the three Tests.

The first Test in Christchurch begins on 27 November with matches in Wellington and Hamilton to follow in December.

England squad for Test series against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Bryson Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

England coach Brendon McCullum backed ‘hurting’ Ben Stokes to come back stronger after they fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Test series in Pakistan on the captain’s return from a hamstring injury. 

Stokes had missed the historic first Test in Multan that England won by an innings and 47 runs, but he recovered after a two-month lay-off to make himself available ahead of the second Test. 

On a reused pitch in Multan, England fell to a 152-run defeat to the hosts with the 33-year-old all-rounder managing 1 and 37 with the bat and bowling just 10 overs without a wicket. 

Stokes did not have much luck in the third Test either, collecting just 15 runs over the two innings as Pakistan made it back-to-back wins to win the three-match series. 

“He's disappointed but he's our skipper and we know he's tough," McCullum told BBC Sport.

"He'll make sure he'll come back. It's our job to make sure we wrap our arms around him and help him along the way."

New Zealand made history by becoming the first touring side to win a Test series in India since 2012 with a historic 113-run triumph in Pune on Saturday. 

Mitchell Santner's figures of 6-104 in the second innings proved decisive, bowling the Blackcaps to an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the series. 

New Zealand started the day 198-5 with Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips at the crease, the former adding 11 runs to his overnight total before being bowled out by Ravindra Jadeja.

Phillips (48) remained until the end as the wickets tumbled around him as Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and Will O'Rourke all failed to reach double figures. 

The Blackcaps posted a total of 255, to give India a target of 359 for victory, with the hosts starting well in their run chase through Yashasvi Jaiswal's 77 runs from 66 balls. 

But Santner would go on to rip out the top order, claiming the wickets of Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (eight), Shubman Gill (23) and Virat Kohli (17) and Rishabh Pant (zero), the latter coming via a run out.

India were desperate for a batter to steady the ship, but it never came to fruition, as Washington Sundar (21) was bowled out by Phillips, while Sarfaraz Khan (nine) became Santner's latest victim.

The victory was sealed when Jadeja (18) was caught by Daryl Mitchell on the boundary, sparking joyous scenes among the tourists.

Data Debrief: Santner stars in historic win

New Zealand have beaten India on their home turf, marking their first home series loss in 12 years, with the triumph spearheaded by Santner.

Having never taken more than three wickets in an innings or six in a match, Santner ended with match figures of 13 for 157, the third-best by any visiting bowler in India.

Mitchell Santner's stellar bowling paired with Tom Latham's strong start with the bat put New Zealand in the driving seat on day two of their second Test against India.

The hosts resumed at the crease at 16-1 on Friday, and they started strong as Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) and Shubman Gill (30) got the ball rolling.

However, Santner (7-53) found his footing in the 22nd over, trapping the latter lbw and taking Virat Kohli for just one run shortly after.

Ravindra Jadeja threatened to get India back on track with his knock of 38, but the wickets continued to tumble as they were skittled for 156, already trailing by 103.

Latham then kept the tourists in control, plundering 86 before Washington Sundar picked up where he left off in the first innings.

The spinner took seven wickets on day one and got four more as he tried to limit the damage done by New Zealand in the second innings, but Will Young (23), Devon Conway (17) and Daryl Mitchell (18) kept them ticking over.

New Zealand had a healthy 301-run lead at stumps, ending the day 198-5, with Tom Blundell (30 not out) and Glenn Phillips (9 not out) hoping to keep their momentum going when play resumes on Saturday.

Data Debrief: On the cusp

Sundar's strong start on Thursday had given India hope, but they struggled to build on that when they stepped out for day two.

Instead, it was Santner who grabbed the headlines, with New Zealand pushing to get a maiden Test series win in India and end their hosts' 12-year unbeaten run at home.

Before this Test, he had never taken four wickets in an innings, but he managed an impressive seven-for as he made light work of India's batters.

Washington Sundar made his mark on his return to the side, posting a seven-wicket haul to frustrate New Zealand on day one of the second Test.

India look to have quickly put last week's defeat behind them as they made a statement with a strong start.

Ravichandran Ashwin took the first three wickets (3-64), though Devon Conway's knock of 76 had already pushed the tourists to 138-3 before Sundar (7-59) stepped up to the plate.

Rachin Ravindra's 65 almost got them over the 200 mark, before he was bowled by Sundar, who then proceeded to take the next six wickets, with only Daryl Mitchell (18) and Mitchell Santner (33) hitting double figures as New Zealand were limited to 259 inside 80 overs.

However, India's day at the bat did not get off to a good start as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck.

They reached stumps at 16-1, and Yashasvi Jaiswal (6 not out) and Shubman Gill (10 not out) will be hoping to kick on when they resume play on Friday.

Data Debrief: Washington in charge

Sundar was not even a part of India's Test squad three days ago, but the choice to bring him in has proven inspired.

It was his maiden Test five-for, and his best figures in first-class cricket, as he dismissed the last of New Zealand's batters within 20 overs.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal only needs to get 17 more runs on day two to become just the second batter to reach 1,000 runs in men's Tests in 2024 after Joe Root (1,300 runs).

New Zealand won their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, seeing off South Africa with a 32-run victory in the final on Sunday.

They came into the tournament as underdogs on the back of a torrid losing streak, but held strong for a comprehensive win to claim a surprise crown.

Suzie Bates got New Zealand off to a strong start with her knock of 32, but it was Amelia Kerr's vital contribution of 43 that spurred them through the innings, despite a slight lull in the middle stages.

Brooke Halliday (38), who had a 57-run partnership with Kerr, ensured the White Ferns finished solidly against a wasteful South Africa bowling performance, as they racked up 158-5.

However, Kerr shone again in the field, finishing with 3-24, while Rosemary Mair also took 3-25 in an impressive display.

The Proteas dominated in the powerplay, as Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Jasmin Brits (17) combined for 51 on the first wicket, but they started to stumble shortly after Kerr ended the former's stand.

Only Chloe Tryon (14) and Annerie Dercksen (10) hit double figures after the top order, and the wickets toppled as New Zealand claimed an emotional victory.

Data Debrief: Taking the crown

New Zealand were on a 10-match losing streak coming into the World Cup, but have lost just once during the tournament - a blip against Australia in their second match.

History was also not on their side in T20 World Cup finals, with the team losing successive show-piece games in 2009 and 2010.

However, they put in an admirable performance on Sunday, with Kerr's three wickets at the Dubai International Stadium seeing her finish as the tournament's leading wicket taker.

It was yet more heartbreak for South Africa, though, as they lost their second consecutive final, with the country's wait for a global cricket title continuing. 

New Zealand captain Tom Latham savoured a "special" moment for the Black Caps after they ended a 36-year wait for a Test victory in India on Sunday.

The tourists began day five of a rain-affected first Test requiring just 107 runs for victory, with their only previous wins in India coming in 1969 and 1988.

Latham was removed early on by Jasprit Bumrah as India desperately attempted to force a draw, but Will Young (49 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) got New Zealand over the line with eight wickets to spare.

Speaking after the win, which was New Zealand's seventh in a row in red-ball matches, Latham said: "There have been a lot of teams that have come here over that long period of time, so obviously it's a special feeling.

"The work we did in that first and second innings with the ball and with the bat set up the game for us."

India, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat since going down to England in Hyderabad in January, though they recovered to win that five-match series 4-1.

With two more Tests to come in the current series, captain Rohit Sharma called on his team-mates to show similar levels of resilience. 

"There are guys who have been in this place before, where we've lost a game," Rohit said. 

"We lost a game against England in the first Test, and we won four games after that. These things happen. 

"There's still two Test matches to go, and we know exactly what is required from each one of us. So, we'll try and put our best game forward." 

New Zealand eased to a first Test victory in India since 1988 on Sunday despite Jasprit Bumrah doing his bit to frustrate the Black Caps in their chase.

After India recorded their worst-ever home score in their first innings and collapsed in their second, New Zealand needed just 107 runs to win on day five.

Bumrah attempted to put the pressure on, trapping Tom Latham lbw for a duck with just his second ball of the day then doing the same to Devon Conway (17) to drop the tourists to 35-2.

However, Bumrah – who conceded just 29 runs through his eight overs with the ball – could only delay the inevitable as Will Young (49 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) got New Zealand over the line.

Fresh from a century in the tourists' first innings, Ravindra hit two boundaries from the first three balls he faced to silence a raucous crowd at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Attacking the spinners for fear of rain interrupting their chase, the pair continued to hunt runs and Young sealed the deal with a four off Ravindra Jadeja in the 28th over. 

Data Debrief: Rare triumph for Black Caps

New Zealand's victory was just their third in red-ball cricket in India, following wins in 1969 and 1988.

The Black Caps have now won each of their last seven red-ball matches, following 2-0 series sweeps of South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand are on the brink of securing a first Test win in India for 36 years, following the hosts' late collapse on day four.

The visitors' decision to take a second new ball proved crucial, and left them requiring just 107 runs for victory.

India resumed at 231-3, and Sarfaraz Khan led their charge as he notched his maiden Test century with an impressive 150 off 195 balls.

The hosts, who were bowled out for just 46 in the opening innings, were looking strong, having overturned their 356-run deficit for the lead at 400-3.

However, the tide turned when New Zealand took the new ball. After Tim Southee claimed Khan, William O'Rourke then denied Rishabh Pant (99) a century, while he also bowled KL Rahul (12) and Ravindra Jadeja (five) soon after.

Matt Henry also took three wickets, claiming Ravichandran Ashwin (15), Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj (both for a duck) as India were bowled out for 462, setting their opponents a target of just 107 when play concludes on Sunday.

Data Debrief: Ton up for Khan as Pant agonisingly misses out

The new ball was certainly the decisive factor on a day interrupted by rain delays. Indeed, India were 62-3 thereon, having previously looked on course to set their opponents a healthy target.

While Khan notched his maiden Test century, Pant was not so fortunate as he was dismissed when needing just one more run for his seventh ton.

In fact, he has now hit more 90s (seven) than centuries (six) in Test cricket.

New Zealand claimed a dramatic eight-run victory over West Indies to reach their first Women's T20 World Cup final since 2010, with Eden Carson starring with the ball.

The Black Caps will face South Africa in Sunday's showpiece match, with a first-time champion guaranteed after New Zealand held firm in a tense finale in Sharjah.

New Zealand were limited to 128-9 with the bat as Deandra Dottin finished with fine figures of 4-22, including the crucial wickets of opener Amelia Kerr (7) and Brooke Halliday (18) – the latter with a zipping delivery that crashed into off stump.

The Windies took up the bat in confident mood after two final-over wickets further dented New Zealand's hopes, but Carson turned the momentum by removing both of their openers within five overs.

Having hit middle stump to send West Indies' group-stage star Qiana Joseph walking for 12, Carson had Shemaine Campbelle (3) caught by Suzie Bates to drop them to 20-2.

Carson had her treble soon afterwards as Stafanie Taylor was dismissed for 13 runs, and the Windies failed to recover any momentum from there, only reaching 48 runs by the midpoint of their innings.

Dottin (33 off 22) and Afy Fletcher (17 not out) both attempted to spur the 2016 champions into life, but some efficient New Zealand bowling kept them at bay, Bates only conceding six runs from the all-important final over to get them over the line.

Data Debrief: Long wait over for Black Caps

New Zealand's victory ended their 14-year wait for a final appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup, showing impressive calm to hold off a team that blew England away in the group stage on Tuesday. 

Carson chose the ideal time to produce just her second three-wicket haul in T20Is, finishing 3-29 having previously posted figures of 3-18 versus Bangladesh in 2023. 

Her eight wickets at this tournament have only been bettered by four players, with team-mate Melie Kerr (12) and South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba (10) the only two to remain active in the competition.